RURAL Arts based in Thirsk has teamed up with an arts venue in Manchester to deliver work experience for young people in promoting a show.

Two groups of young teenagers are working on comedian Sophie Willan’s onewoman show The Novice Detective, which comes to North Yorkshire at the end of the month.

The project is part of the national Young Promoters network, which spans more than 25 counties and 50 shows.

Groups of young people in Redcar and Weaverthorpe aged 13 and over have been given the task of promoting, marketing and selling tickets.

Rural Arts has organised previous projects for young people but this the first focusing on giving them the chance to gain skills in marketing, front of house and production.

Chloe Hampson, who manages Rural Arts ON Tour, said: “Many of us working in the creative sector are doing so thanks to work experience while still at school, but this is harder to gain if you live in a rural community. We already tour professional performances across the county and it’s great to see young people working alongside our volunteers to ensure this comedy reaches our audiences.”

The Novice Detective is a piece that mixes comedy, storytelling and audience interaction.

The show begins with a cliffhanger of Sophie’s missing father.

With just a handful of clues, she is determined to uncover the truth. Will a pop album dedicated to her, a picture of a man in a red beret and her slightly psychic Gran, along with her detective know-how, lead her to her father?

The Novice Detective is suitable for ages 13 and over and the performance is open to the public.

Any profits from ticket sales supports community buildings and Rural Arts’ charitable aims, including the Young Promoters scheme.

The show will be staged at Tuned In at Redcar on March 26 at 6pm. Tickets can be booked by calling 01642- 771245. The Weaverthorpe performance is the following night. Tickets can also be booked online at ruralarts.org.

  • Gateshead International Jazz Festival has launched a scheme for talented young members of jazz ensembles aged 16-24.

The venture stems from a performance development programme launched by Jazz North which assembled a panel of specialists to select the best young band.

The winner was Stretch Trio, from Leeds, combining jazz, ambient and rock influences, who will perform at the festival on April 6 during the Youth Jazz Afternoon.

Tickets to the Sage Gateshead show on April 6 are free and can be booked by calling 01914-434661, online at sagegateshead.com or in person from the ticket office.